R46m of World Cup fakes seized

Johannesburg - South Africa has seized R46m worth of fake World Cup merchandise, with many of the goods originating from China and other Asian countries, a newspaper said on Saturday.

Customs authorities have seized R46m in fakes over the last six months, including about R20m worth of copycat jerseys for Bafana Bafana, the Saturday Star reported.

"Most of the merchandise has been seized at Durban harbour and OR Tambo International Airport" in Johannesburg, Fifa lawyer Mohamed Khader told the paper.

"Several consignments and containers have been coming in from the East," he added.

South African Football Association spokesperson Mario Sanyane said Adidas was contracted to produce Bafana's official jerseys.

"It's unacceptable that people from around the world are taking advantage of the Bafana brand," he said.

South Africa is encouraging the nation to wear jerseys every Friday to build enthusiasm for the World Cup, sending demand soaring. As the June 11 kick-off nears, vendors have filled the streets with jerseys, national flags and other football gear.